Date issued

Feb 8, 2018 - 5:07 PM

Valid until

Feb 9, 2018 - 4:00 PM

Prepared by

deryl kelly

Highway 93N from Athabasca Falls to Saskatchewan River Crossing and the Maligne Lake road will remain closed for Friday. Check Alberta 511 for updated opening times.

Regular season
Thursday - February 8, 2018
Alpine

4 - High

Very dangerous avalanche conditions.Travel in avalanche terrain not recommended.

Natural avalanches likely;human-triggered avalanches very likely.

Large avalanches in many areas;or very large avalanches in specific areas.

Treeline

4 - High

Very dangerous avalanche conditions.Travel in avalanche terrain not recommended.

Natural avalanches likely;human-triggered avalanches very likely.

Large avalanches in many areas;or very large avalanches in specific areas.

Below Treeline

3 - Considerable

Dangerous avalanche conditions. Careful snowpack evaluation,cautious route-finding and conservative decision-making essential.

Natural avalanches possible;human-triggered avalanches likely.

Small avalanches in many areas; or large avalanches in specific areas; or very large avalanches in isolated areas.

Friday - February 9, 2018
Alpine

3 - Considerable

Dangerous avalanche conditions. Careful snowpack evaluation,cautious route-finding and conservative decision-making essential.

Natural avalanches possible;human-triggered avalanches likely.

Small avalanches in many areas; or large avalanches in specific areas; or very large avalanches in isolated areas.

Treeline

4 - High

Very dangerous avalanche conditions.Travel in avalanche terrain not recommended.

Natural avalanches likely;human-triggered avalanches very likely.

Large avalanches in many areas;or very large avalanches in specific areas.

Below Treeline

3 - Considerable

Dangerous avalanche conditions. Careful snowpack evaluation,cautious route-finding and conservative decision-making essential.

Natural avalanches possible;human-triggered avalanches likely.

Small avalanches in many areas; or large avalanches in specific areas; or very large avalanches in isolated areas.

Saturday - February 10, 2018
Alpine

3 - Considerable

Dangerous avalanche conditions. Careful snowpack evaluation,cautious route-finding and conservative decision-making essential.

Natural avalanches possible;human-triggered avalanches likely.

Small avalanches in many areas; or large avalanches in specific areas; or very large avalanches in isolated areas.

Treeline

3 - Considerable

Dangerous avalanche conditions. Careful snowpack evaluation,cautious route-finding and conservative decision-making essential.

Natural avalanches possible;human-triggered avalanches likely.

Small avalanches in many areas; or large avalanches in specific areas; or very large avalanches in isolated areas.

Below Treeline

3 - Considerable

Dangerous avalanche conditions. Careful snowpack evaluation,cautious route-finding and conservative decision-making essential.

Natural avalanches possible;human-triggered avalanches likely.

Small avalanches in many areas; or large avalanches in specific areas; or very large avalanches in isolated areas.

Avalanche Problem 1: Storm Slabs

What Elevation?
Which Slopes?
Chances of Avalanches?
Expected Size?

Up to 45cm of HST fell through the forecast area, over-loading the already weak persistent slab and running far and fast.

Travel and Terrain Advice
  • Avoid all avalanche terrain

Avalanche Problem 2: Persistent Slabs

What Elevation?
Which Slopes?
Chances of Avalanches?
Expected Size?

Field teams observed widespread whumpfing and moderate test results at TL during the past week. Shallow areas are the most likely triggering locations in the alpine.

Travel and Terrain Advice
  • Watch for whumpfing, hollow sounds, and shooting cracks.
  • Avoid convexities or areas with a thin or variable snowpack.

Avalanche Problem 3: Wind Slabs

What Elevation?
Which Slopes?
Chances of Avalanches?
Expected Size?

Windslabs were created over the last week with 40cm of snow and West winds. The incoming snow coupled with moderate West winds may build sensitive new storm / windslabs.

Travel and Terrain Advice
  • If triggered the storm/wind slabs may step down to deeper layers resulting in large avalanches.
  • Watch for shooting cracks or stiffer feeling snow. Avoid areas that appear wind loaded.

Avalanche Summary

Epic avalanche cycle through the forecasted region up to size 3.5. Most active at 2400m to 2600m (TL elevation). Expect the same carnage in the alpine but unable to confirm due to poor visability.

Snowpack Summary

Varied HST amounts building soft storm slabs through the forecast region, up to 45cm in the southern region on Mount Wilson; 10-15cm in the Icefields. This storm slab is sitting on the weak facetted persistent slab and is running far and fast to valley bottom. Reverse loading from north to south on ridge tops and open areas.

Weather Forecast

Storm to ease overnight on Thursday, clearing Friday morning and sunny with cloudy periods over the day. Light northerly winds and alpine temperatures near -10.

Danger Ratings Explained

1 - Low

Generally safe avalanche conditions. Watch for unstable snow on isolated terrain features.

Natural and human-triggered avalanches unlikely.

Small avalanches in isolated areas or extreme terrain.

2 - Moderate

Heightened avalanche conditions on specific terrain features. Evaluate snow and terrain carefully; identify features of concern.

Natural avalanches unlikely; human-triggered avalanches possible.

Small avalanches in specific areas; or large avalanches in isolated areas.

3 - Considerable

Dangerous avalanche conditions. Careful snowpack evaluation, cautious route-finding and conservative decision-making essential.

Natural avalanches possible; human-triggered avalanches likely.

Small avalanches in many areas; or large avalanches in specific areas; or very large avalanches in isolated areas.

4 - High

Very dangerous avalanche conditions. Travel in avalanche terrain not recommended.

Natural avalanches likely; human-triggered avalanches very likely.

Large avalanches in many areas; or very large avalanches in specific areas.

5 - Extreme

Avoid all avalanche terrain.

Natural and human-triggered avalanches certain.

Large to very large avalanches in many areas.

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